rvacha

BMW AG has just posted a new Flash based section outlining SMG II including concepts, animations, and a variety of dowbloads (MP3 sounds, PDF documents, and JPGs). Very cool. BMW is banking on SMG II and has hinted on many occasions that it will eventually phase out manual boxes in favor of SMG some day. On level 6, the highest performing shift program, DSC is automatically turned off and shifts are done in an incredible 80mS!

Go here for English:
http://www.bmw.com/bmwe/index.shtml

and click on the SMG icon under the "Fascination" column. The web page is dynamic, so you may have to visit the page several times to get the SMG icon to pop up. This leads to different (and much better) material than the SMG picture under the Geneva Motor Show area.

------------------
143366
'00 E39 M5
'97 E39 540i six speed

PhilSeastrand

Very interesting... I may have to rethink wanting this

------------------
Phil

01 M5 Silverstone/Silverstone

Mattar

will the M5 get it for 2002 ??

alpywhite

My next vehicle will be an M3 with SMG II. Without question.

(Unless an all-new Beast comes out with it before the warranty on my E39 runs out.)

Alps

Mr. Grinch

I don't think BMW will be too quick to take away the stick shifter just yet. In fact, I think that may take a rather long time.

Please note that with SMG, the .08 secs to shift is only the best possible time to shift in mode S6, which it performs at max RPM in certain gears. In other gears and at lower RPMs, SMG will take slightly longer to shift. Not that it would make a huge difference, but just making the technical point that SMG doesn't always shift in .08 even in mode S6... it depends on load, rpm, and gearing. It's adaptive, which is what makes it smoother and more effective than SMG 1.

jfm

I already have an E39 M5 with SMG on order, deposit paid, so I'm first in line when it becomes available. I'm confident it will be available in late 2002. The fact that the E39 is getting close to the end of its model life (3 yrs to go?) doesn't mean BMW will not bother with SMG. Remember SMG in the E36 M3 was introduced right at the end of its life (I remember the day I collected my new E36 M3SMG - one of the first in the UK - 2.5 years ago, the showroom was already full of new E46 cars). M cars tend to be a couple of years "out of phase" with the regular models, they become available 2 years after the regular model is introduced, and they're still sold for a year or two after the regular cars have been replaced by new model.

Mr. Grinch

Just in case there was any confusion...

I never said I thought BMW would not bother with SMG for E39 M5. In fact I agree with your time line.

What I said was, I don't think BMW will take away the stick any time soon. Meaning, those people who want the stick will still have that option for some time to come yet. Yes SMG will be available, but no, it won't be forced on you (my opinion based on observation).

I said this in response to the post further down suggesting that BMW intends to go all smg at some point with no more manual clutch / stick. Like I said, it might happen, but I believe it's a long ways off, because of the resistance they'd get. At some point though, it probably will become standard, just as ABS can no longer be switched off as it could in early versions.

alpywhite

I just opened up a few of the mp3's and I'm squealing like a schoolgirl.

It sounds like the new M3 motor screams. Plus with SMG II I will be able to play touring-car boy racer.

Will SMG II be in the new M Roadster and Coupe?

Alps

M5_Surge

jfm,
My dealer believes that the e39 m5 will NOT get smg II. What has made your dealer so sure that they are taking deposits for one?

I planned to trade my '00 for an '02 with smg II, but have moved my name to the M3 list so I can get smg. I would rather have an M5 with smg so please let me know what is making you and your dealer so confident.

Thanks,
E-

Mr. Grinch

I think BMW want's a piece of the market going to E55 for auto trans.

Also I think they're tired of replacing burnt clutches in M5s.

Anyways, the M5 and M3 trans are almost identical. I'm certain that SMG 2 would work in the E39 M5 with the appropriate changes for greater loads / torque. Because of the greater load and torque, it might not perform quite the same, but should work.

rvacha

I don't know if BMW is really all that concerned about market loses to Merc or Audi, but I DO know that BMW has acknoledged that the continuing pressures to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emmissions are making it very hard to continue offering a true manual tranny. It is better to let the computer figure out when it is best to shift instead of the driver. With SMG, it is possible to not only allow the computer to figure out the best shift points, but is is more efficent than an automatic because it eleiminates torque converter loses. And SMG is "sporty" as well. A win-win for BMW if they can pull off the technical challenges.